Episode 65 Monster Part 1. 2003 saw the release of Monster, a ‘based-on-a-true-story’ account of female serial killer Aileen Wuornos in late 80s Florida. The portrayal of Aileen by Charlize Theron won her a Best Actress Oscar and the movie rates highly with both film critics and audiences. However, with news journalists the movie has been criticized for its underlying themes and version of events. We will attempt to unravel the movie’s spin from the real events of the times whilst also holding a light up to its value as a piece of entertainment.

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Episode 64 First Man Part 2. We conclude our examination of 2018’s movie starring Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong and the first Moon landing. It’s a difficult film to summarise but as you’ll hear, we do our best to separate its accuracy from its level of entertainment.

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Episode 64 First Man Part 1. Our episode this week focusses on 2018’s portrayal of Neil Armstrong’s journey to be the first human to set foot on the moon, both literal and figurative. Applauded by critics, less so by audiences, it’s nevertheless a fascinating subject. Our task will be to assess the accuracy of the movie and, just as importantly, its ability to entertain.https://historybyhollywood.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/64-first-man-part-1.mp3

Episode 63 Norma Rae Part 2. This week we conclude our examination of this movie, following the battles of Norma Rae, a Southern States textile worker for union recognition in her mill.

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Episode 63 Norma Rae Part 1. This week sees us examining this 1979 movie about a Southern States textile worker, Norma Rae of the title fighting to gain Union representation at her mill. For playing the title role, Sally Field won the Best Actress Oscar and it has been widely praised for its depiction of the long and often bitter fight of the working people against the moneyed bosses in American industry. We will assess its entertainment level but mainly just how true to the real story the movie manages to stay. Part 2 will be along next week.

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Episode 62: Reversal of Fortune. This week sees us joined again by guest co-host Sean Munger of the wonderful Second Decade Podcast. This is one of Sean’s favourite movies and he has a lawyer’s insight into the legal battle described as New York socialite Claus von Bulow (Jeremy Irons) tries to have his conviction reversed for attempted murder of his wife Sunny (Glenn Close). Claus is represented by Alan Dershowitz (Ron Silvers), now a well-known celebrity lawyer and also the author of the book on which the movie is based. So is it a true depiction of these mid-1980s events? We will try and find out.

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Episode 60: Breaker Morant. We are delighted to be joined by Des Latham, host of The Anglo-Boer War Podcast as we examine this 1980 movie’s depiction of an early 1900s British war crimes trial held in South Africa, little known outside Australia and South Africa but within those countries, a case that still resonates loudly today. Rated 100% by critics on Rotten Tomatoes, superb performances by Edward Woodward, Bryan Brown and Jack Thompson make it an incredibly watchable movie. Our task, expertly assisted by Des, will be to judge its accuracy.

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Des Latham’s Anglo-Boer War Podcast can be found on iTunes and other podcast hosting services or through his website which can be found here:

https://www.abwarpodcast.com/

Anuj Agarwal’s blog Hollywood Podcasts link:

https://blog.feedspot.com/hollywood_podcasts/

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